Friday, May 4, 2012

The Biscuit City Exceptionally Immodest Poetry Series Presents a Poem by Dan Verner, Who Has No Shame

Along with several other Facebook friends, I wrote a poem a day to observe National Poetry Month in April. Some people actually have asked me to share these poems on Biscuit City, so here is the first one. If I run one a week, it will be about December by the time they're all presented. Thanks to all who encouraged me in this, and to those who have not read them yet, enjoy!

Bus Stop

When I was teaching,
I read or a student read
A Poem of the Day
To start the class.
It was a tradition
And some students said It was the best part Of the class. I'd agree, most days.

I chose the poem Out of one of several collections, Mostly edited by Garrison Keillor, Daughter Alyssa's literary nemesis, Although she objects to His style rather than his content Having experienced M. Keillor As a high school student With his "Writer's Almanac" feature On National...Public...Radio, Inflicted by her English teacher, A station on which, she says The announcers speak slowly And deliberately as if they Knew somehow They were addressing Old people.

I know, youth is wasted On the young and I exact Some satisfaction By reminding her that she And her friends Will pay my social security.

In any case, when I retired from teaching Some nine years ago this July, My department gave me a book of Read-aloud poems Edited by you-know-who And Lisa Green, my department chair, Allowed as how I would go out in my Neighborhood every morning And read to the kids At the bus stop.

A school bus stops right outside my house And each school morning I hear the quiet sleepy talk Of the students as they wait For the roaring yellow machine To take them away To another seven hours Of high school.

I want to take my book of poetry And go out to them And read them a Poem of the Day To fortify them against All that day will bring But that would be too weird And so I don't

(But sometimes When the house is quiet And they are standing in silent clusters at the bus stop I go into the living room And there Read them A Poem of the Day.)

I agree that the last three stanzas are the best. They also have the most universal meaning, of course, so would "speak" to more people. I agree, however, that it is just a thought. BUT I DO LIKE IT AS-IS as well!It takes courage to "put them out here" Dan - keep it up!

About Me

I taught high school English for 32 years, all at Robinson High School in Fairfax, VA. My students called me "Mr. V," and I was fortunate to have some terrific young people in my classes. I have made contact with some of them, particularly on Facebook, and enjoy seeing what they're up to.

My other nickname, given to me by our then assistant pastor Jim Vaught, is Lieutenant Dan, after the Gary Sinise character in Forrest Gump, one of my favorite movies. I never got anywhere near military service, so the name is somewhat ironic. I greatly admire our troops and respect their sacrifices.